Parliament has ratified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote sustainable fisheries management.
The ratification was spearheaded through a joint memorandum by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, and the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.
This move marks Ghana’s formal endorsement of the global agreement adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022. The pact aims to eliminate harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and IUU activities, particularly in overexploited waters and on the high seas. It introduces binding prohibitions on subsidies linked to IUU fishing and depleted fish stocks, with transitional provisions for developing countries like Ghana.
Speaking on the ratification, the Minister, Emelia Arthur stated: “The ratification of this Agreement aligns with Ghana’s Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2022–2026), our national blueprint to restore marine fish stocks, enhance data collection, and improve enforcement. It also supports our broader efforts to build a resilient, equitable fisheries sector.”
Ghana’s fisheries sector remains a key pillar of the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and contributing to food security, nutrition, and foreign exchange earnings. However, the sector faces persistent challenges including declining fish stocks, overcapacity, and environmental degradation.
The timing of the ratification is significant, as it aligns with the Fisheries Ministry’s plans to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—a crucial measure for replenishing stocks and sustaining coastal communities.
According to the memorandum submitted to Parliament, the agreement also seeks to create a level playing field for Ghana’s artisanal and semi-industrial fishers, who often face stiff competition from heavily subsidised foreign fleets, particularly from China, Japan, and the European Union.
The ratification brings Ghana closer to fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6, which calls for the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies by 2025. Following parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture will transmit the instrument of ratification to the WTO Secretariat. Simultaneously, the Ministry is revising national fisheries laws to align with the agreement’s provisions.
Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare added, “This is not just a trade agreement; it is a pact to protect the future of Ghana’s marine resources and the millions who depend on them. It signals Ghana’s role as a responsible flag and coastal state committed to sustainability, fairness, and international cooperation.”
The government has assured stakeholders that the implementation process will include broad consultations, public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programmes to ensure effective enforcement and stakeholder buy-in.
This development strengthens Ghana’s leadership in sustainable fisheries governance and highlights its dual commitment to environmental stewardship and economic resilience, particularly as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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